OpenFields

1534: Anaerobic digestion

This paper is taken from a RICS Rural Professional Group Briefing on Anaerobic Digestion by Peter Fane.

Year of Publication2012

Theoretically AD from wastes currently being produced in UK could generate up to 7.5% of current energy needs as well as GHG savings and reduced artificial fertiliser use. Few farm scale AD plants are being constructed in UK but government Feed in Tariffs may make them more profitable. Some wastes may need to be pasteurised before AD treatment. Farm slurries form a good substrate but vegetable waste produces over twice as much biogas and energy crops like maize up to ten times.